The winter. A time for snow, netflix, dry skin, and comfort food- grilled cheese and soup, warm brownie sundaes, chicken pot pie and creamy hot chocolate. Now if you’ve followed me long enough, you know that I’m not against any of these foods. In fact I think it’s important to love the food you eat which includes both unhealthy and healthy, but too much of a good thing is just–too much! So I wanted to give you a peek into 3 meals in a typical winter day for me! And since the rest of my family has to eat, these meals also work for them! Mama isn’t a short-order cook! Plus I can cook in bulk (heyyyy crockpot/pressure cooker!) which I happen to love for the winter so I can freeze in larger batches!

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BREAKFAST: Egg & Avocado Toast

I love eggs! I think they are so versatile! This is one of my favorite combinations and how cute is my little egg pan? I love the color and it is perfect on those mornings I’m just making for myself!

Ingredients:

1 egg

1-2 TBS Avocado

1 slice of Ezekiel bread (or bread of choice)

Salt & Pepper

Warm up the skillet and lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray, butter, coconut oil etc. While it’s warming up, toast your bread. Once skillet is warmed up, crack your egg on it and flip the egg after about 1-2 minutes depending on how runny you like the middle. Smear the avocado on the toast, then pop the egg on top of it. Use a fork to get that runny middle out! (Salt & pepper as needed!)

Honorable mention: Oatmeal on the crockpot! There are a lot of flavor combinations with oatmeal, but here’s the basic recipe I use for the crockpot at night (or stovetop if I have time in the morning).

Combine the oats and water and place in crockpot overnight on low. Add the milk, salt and toppings before you eat, when you wake up! I love this “peaches ‘n cream” one! (I freeze fresh fruit in-season and pull out for winter months!)

LUNCH: Crunchy Winter Salad

It’s no secret. I don’t LOVE salads, however there are ways that I can love them more and that usually means I’m adding some unique toppings to them! (I just love a CRUNCH!) So here is my go-to winter salad!

Toss all ingredients together in a big bowl and enjoy the flavor explosion!

Tip: I’ve started “bagging” the bagged salads because of all the negative things I’ve heard about them. (And remember this post on instagram? A little extra protein from my salad mix? Gross) So I invested in a salad spinner so that I can really rinse out those spinach and romaine leaves when I buy from the produce section at the grocery!

DINNER: Vegetable Beef Soup

I recently got a pressure cooker (which also can be used as a crockpot and rice/quinoa cooker) and I’m loving all of the various ways I can use it. When I don’t plan anything, the pressure cooker side makes making a meal fast—whereas if I have myself together in the morning, the crockpot is fantastic! (And yes, this is my 2nd crockpot! I love them!)

I am always posting crockpot meals on instagram. I seriously love using it because by the time dinner comes around, my focus is split a million ways and there’s nothing better than having something slow-cook all day long! I love soups because it’s a great way to pack in some great foods and they make great mini (and regular!) meals for leftovers. It was hard to pick just one of my favorite soups (check out my white chicken chili and chicken fajita soup!) but I went with this one because there are hardly any ingredients to it! I love basic! (Add a side salad and a roll and boom–dinner served!)

Brown your turkey or beef. Drain fat, then add vegetables, beef broth and tomato juice. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on low 6-8 hrs or high 4-5. (I recommend doubling this recipe!)

Of course, I eat more than these 3 times in a day and if you follow me on instagram, you see some snapshots of these things. (protein shakes, fruit + nut butter, cottage cheese + veggies, fruit bowls (see below!) to name a few!)

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So there you go! A very typical winter day’s worth of meals! Now wouldn’t you love a chance to grab some new healthy cooking appliances from Kohl’s? I thought so! Fill out the entries below to have a chance at the $100 gift card! The giveaway ends Monday February 1st.

(Check out these money-saving codes!)

1/29-2/3 $10 off $50 home purchase with Promo Code HOME10

1/29-1/30 20% off using promo code FORYOU20 (2 days only)
These codes can be stacked!

Love this recipes! Eating eggs that way is one of my favorite ways! What other motivating fitness/ energy tips can you give that help make it through the cold and long winter- and make it through thriving( not just striving)!?!?

I would love to see more like this post…sample day’s meals. Actually, just more of the same of all you do! You are so encouraging to me, both spiritually and in my quest to improve my health. I am very overweight and out of shape at this point in my life, but I’m working hard to reverse that. Another thing I’d like to see are exercise/workout suggestions and tips for those of us who can’t move as well, “yet” anyway 😉 Thank you and God bless!

I don’t know what else you could add…your blog is great! I love all the crockpot recipes (love that appliance) and at home workouts (no gym membership here). I also love the challenges you do! I just had a baby in August so I’m still trying to get back into the workout grove…maybe something to help with that. I was walking before it got cold…since I can strap on baby & go. But now it’s hard…
Thanks for all you do! God bless!

I would love to see exercises for people with knee and back issues. I have lost almost 60 pounds without exercise, but am not stuck and I know I need to exercise. I have minimal cartilage in one of my knees (due to arthritis and I have a lower back possible disc issue My trouble spots are my belly/hips area and firming up my legs and arms.

I am embarking on a clean-eating lifestyle, and I can’t wait to try some of your recipes. And besides that, Kohl’s is seriously my all-time favorite store! Thanks for the offer, and thanks so much for sharing your love for a healthy lifestyle–spiritually, physically, and emotionally!

I absolutely love following your blog! I REALLY enjoyed this post. Although my kids are picky I think they will like the vegetable soup. Recipes that are family friendly are always appreciated! I personally love your challenges, even if you didn’t do it as a group maybe you could give us ideas for weekly/monthly challenges to do on our own.

With having a family of 6 I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to prep meals that are healthy. I use my crock pot alot. This pressure cooker looks amazing. I have one but it’s an older version and just don’t use it very much. Keep sharing your great recipes and tips!

I love these ideas and would love even more! There are SO many different voices out there telling me what to eat / what not to eat that I would love to hear more from you – as a trusted healthy Christian.

As a full time working mom I’m always looking for quick on the go menu options that are healthy at the same time. Also any great easy, not to time consuming exercises are appreciated. Thanks for these great recipes and giveaway!

Thanks for your wonderful encouragement. Just had my 6th baby 2 weeks ago & that along with nearly dying delivering him, I’m not back to working out, yet, but I appreciate seeing your ideas for healthy meals, etc.

Please keep the healthy and delicious recipes coming!!! I have 3 small kids and a hubby to feed at least 2 times a day, 7 days a week and I get stuck in a rut sometimes having to come up with meal plans. We love new recipes!!